Two teen gang members arrested

RIPON - The Ripon Police Department apprehended two teenage gang members who fled from officers after doing thousands of dollars in damage to a community park, authorities said.

The Record

RIPON - The Ripon Police Department apprehended two teenage gang members who fled from officers after doing thousands of dollars in damage to a community park, authorities said.

A 17-year-old documented gang member from Federal Way, Wash., and a 15-year-old documented gang member from Modesto were arrested on a variety of charges Thursday following a disturbance at Stouffer Park, police said. While others were celebrating the Fourth of July holiday nearby, the boys were doing doughnuts on the softball diamonds at the park, the 17-year-old driving a stolen Honda and the 15-year-old driving a Ford van with stolen license plates, authorities said.

When officers arrived, one of the boys fled on foot and was taken into custody after a brief pursuit. The other fled in the van, crashed into a tree and then tried to run away before he was located in a nearby orchard, police said.

No one was injured. Damage to the park was estimated at $3,000, authorities said.